Interchangeable flashlight-cargo lamp system

ABSTRACT

An interchangeable flashlight-cargo lamp system includes a docking station that is suitable for mounting either a cargo lamp or a rechargeable flashlight. The flashlight doubles as a cargo lamp when mounted within the docking station. Both the cargo lamp and the flashlight have common mounting elements that mate with corresponding mounting features of the docking station to permit either device to be inserted into and removed from the docking station. The interchangeable devices also include electrical contacts that mate with corresponding electrical contacts in the docking station. The flashlight further includes a battery that is recharged when the flashlight is mounted in the docking station.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to automotive lighting systemsand, in particular, to vehicle cargo lamps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cargo lamps are commonly used as a light source for illuminating theinterior passenger compartment of a vehicle. Typically, a passengervehicle will include at least one cargo lamp in the form of a dome lampcentrally located in the headliner between the first and second rows ofseats. For vans and vehicles having a third row of seating, a secondcargo lamp is often provided in the headliner at the rear of thevehicle. Sometimes additional lighting is desirable beyond the fixed OEMlighting sources normally included with a vehicle. For this reason,people often equip their vehicle with a flashlight or other mobile lightsource that is usually stored in the glove box. This provides a mobilelight source that can be used inside or outside of the vehicle.

Ordinary flashlights stored in a vehicle for occasional use do, however,have their drawbacks. First, flashlights kept in the vehicle arenormally only infrequently used and, because they typically run frombatteries, it is not uncommon for the user to find that the batteriesare dead when attempting to use the flashlight after many months ofbeing stored unused in the vehicle. Second, flashlights are mobile andoften small and they can easily be misplaced within the interior of thevehicle.

Various attempts have been made to integrate flashlights into thevehicle so that they are stored and readily available from a singlelocation within the vehicle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,134 issuedto Rossi discloses an interior compartment light that is detachable fromits housing and can be used as a flashlight, which eliminates the needfor a consumer to carry a separate, ordinary flashlight within thevehicle. Other combination dome/flashlights are disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,077,643 to Leach, U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,495 to Roberts, and U.S.Pat. No. 6,022,131 to Morimoto. Apart from dome lamps, flashlights havebeen integrated into the vehicle in other ways. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 5,645,340 issued to Colton discloses a flashlight replacement for avehicle ashtray. The ashtray is removed and replaced by the flashlight,which can have an electrical contact for charging of the flashlightbatteries when the flashlight is stored in the ashtray opening.

One problem with these prior art combination dome/flashlights is thatautomobile manufacturers normally want to offer consumers both high andlow end vehicle options, and these combination devices are typicallyclassified as a higher end feature for which there may be no lower endoption for the vehicle. Thus, the manufacturer may feel that he has tomake a decision at the design stage to either equip all of the vehiclesof a particular make with the combination device, or none at all andjust use a conventional type cargo lamp. Because of the additional costthat these combination devices usually add to the vehicle, it can besafer to stay with a conventional cargo lamp for lower cost than it isto impose a higher cost combination device on everyone, especially whenonly some consumers will want, or be willing to pay for, the moreexpensive combination device. As a result, manufacturers may elect notto equip the vehicles with these devices at all. Furthermore, even wherethe manufacturer does decide to provide the consumer with an optionbetween a conventional cargo lamp and a combination flashlight/cargolamp, installation into the vehicle of one or the other may have to bemade by the manufacturer at the time of assembly of the vehicle. Thiscan be problematic for dealers who typically order a certain quantity ofstock and must make guesses as to which combinations of pre-configuredoptions will be desired by its customers.

In the case of the device disclosed in the Colton patent, the flashlightand ashtray are interchangeable, thereby giving the consumer a choicebetween different options for use of the ashtray compartment space.However, this arrangement also has a drawback in that the flashlighteliminates the replaced device's (i.e., the ashtray's) function sincethere is no ashtray built into the flashlight. And a consumer may preferto have both a flashlight and ashtray in the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome theabove-noted drawbacks of the prior art by providing an interchangeableflashlight-cargo lamp system that includes both a dedicated cargo lampand a combination flashlight/cargo lamp with these two devices beinginterchangeable based upon the consumer's choice. It is a further objectof the present invention to provide an interchangeable flashlight-cargolamp system in which the flashlight does not eliminate the replaceddevice's function, but merely adds a second function to the device.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a vehicle cargo lampsystem including a docking station, a cargo lamp, and a combinationflashlight/cargo lamp (which is also referred to herein as simply aflashlight). The cargo lamp and the flashlight are both light sourcedevices that perform a common lighting function when installed in thedocking station. However, the combination flashlight/cargo lamp can beseparately used as a portable flashlight when detached from the dockingstation and, for this purpose, it includes a power storage device suchas a battery that is recharged whenever the flashlight is docked. Thedocking station itself includes one or more mounting features forreceipt of either the cargo lamp or the flashlight. The cargo lamp andthe flashlight each include a housing having common mounting elementsthat mate with the mounting features of the docking station. Thecommonality of mounting elements of the housings allow these devices tobe interchangeably mounted within the same docking station. This enablesa single docking station design for a vehicle to accept either device,which not only enables the manufacturer and its dealers to offerdifferent options to the consumer, but also allows this decision to bemade after completed assembly of the vehicle by the manufacturer andallows a simple means of changing between the devices in the event thevehicle owner later decides that he or she wants the other option.

A complete understanding of this invention may be obtained from thedetailed description that follows taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the flashlight-cargolamp system of the present invention showing a vehicle headliner,docking station, and a cargo lamp to be mounted therein;

FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the flashlight-cargo lampsystem of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along with 3-3 line of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the flashlight/cargolamp used in the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the 5-5 line of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An assembled interchangeable flashlight-cargo lamp system 10 of thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 1. The lamp system 10 is designed formounting in an opening 14 in a vehicle headliner 12 and, in general, thelamp system includes a docking station 22 and a light source which canbe either a cargo lamp 100 (as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3) or aflashlight/cargo lamp 200 (as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4). These lightsources are designed to be interchangeable with the docking station 22,at the consumer's option, while maintaining a common dome lightingfunction for the interior passenger compartment of the vehicle.

In reference to the exploded view of the flashlight-cargo lamp system 10in FIG. 2, the opening 14 in the headliner 12 is rectangular and extendsfrom a first end 18 to a second end 20. The docking station 22 isattached to the headliner 12 via a mounting element 24 that is formed ina first end 26 of the docking station 22. The mounting element 24 isshown in FIG. 2 as a tab that can be slidably engaged by the backside ofheadliner 12 adjacent the opening 14. Other suitable mounting elements,however, may be used in addition to or in lieu of tab 24.

As shown in FIG. 3, the docking station 22 includes a housing 30 havingan outer bezel 32 surrounding a central recessed portion 34. The tab 24is formed as a small extension of the bezel 32 at the first end 26. Thedocking station 22 is mounted inside the headliner opening 14 byinserting the tab 24 into the opening 14 such that it engages thebackside of headliner 12, and then the docking station is press-fit oreven snapped into the opening 14 until the bezel 32 seats on theheadliner at its opposite end 20. For this purpose, the headlineropening 14 includes sides that are sized and shaped in conformance withthe recessed portion 34 of the docking station housing 30, so that thedocking station 22 can be mounted within the opening 14 in a tight andsecure fit. The housing 30 can include one or more protrusions on itsouter surface at its second end 28 underneath the bezel 32. Theseprotrusions would help lock the docking station 22 into the opening 14.Alternatively, a retainer clip attached within the headliner could beused to engage the housing 30 and lock the docking station in place.Other such variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

With continued reference to both FIGS. 2 and 3, the recessed portion 34of the docking station 22 is accessed via an opening 38 in the housing30 and is defined by four side walls 36 and a bottom 40. The side wall36 that is located at the first end 26 is recessed laterally away fromthe access opening 38 underneath a lip 48, thereby defining a firstmounting feature 50. The lip 48 is an inward extension of the bezel 32that covers a small portion of the central recess 34. As will bedescribed below, both the cargo lamp 100 and the combinationflashlight/cargo lamp 200 are sized to snap fit within recess 34, withthe lip 48 and cavity 50 being used to retain at least in part theinserted device 100, 200. Cargo lamp 100 is attached to the dockingstation 22 by inserting a first end 106 of the cargo lamp 100 into thecavity 50 underneath the lip 48. An opposite mounting end 108 of thecargo lamp 100 is then snapped into the second end 28 of the housingrecess 34. A small lip 35 on the housing 30 at the second end 28 acts asa locking feature that is used to help retain the cargo lamp 100 inplace. Alternatively, the cargo lamp can be held in place by sizing itrelative to the dimensions of recess 34 that it provides a tightfriction fit within the recess when installed. Other means of locking orlatching the cargo lamp 100 into the recess 34 will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. For a more secure fit of the cargo lamp 100 in themain recess 34, the bottom 40 of the recess 34 may include ribs 46 thatengage a bottom surface 109 of the cargo lamp 100 and prevent anyvertical play in the cargo lamp relative to housing 30. Mounting of theflashlight 200 is handled similarly as will be discussed below.

The present invention allows the vehicle owner to remove and replaceeither the cargo lamp 100 or the flashlight 200 with the other as anaftermarket choice. Thus, the lamp system 10 includes a means forreleasing both of these devices when they are mounted within the dockingstation 22. As will be discussed further in conjunction with FIGS. 4 and5, the flashlight 200 includes a handle 201 that operates as a releasemeans, which the user can grab and pull in order to remove theflashlight 200 from the docking station 22. Since the cargo lamp 100 maynot include a handle, an optional separate release mechanism 25 may beinstalled within the docking station 22 for easy removal of the mountingcargo lamp 100. This is shown in FIG. 2. This release mechanism 25 canbe used to partially eject the cargo lamp 100 from the docking stationusing any of a number of known lever or spring loaded design approaches.The release mechanism 25 can also be used for the flashlight 200.

In reference again to FIGS. 1-3, the cargo lamp 100 can be anincandescent cargo lamp that includes a rectangular housing 102 havingfour sides 103, a top portion 104 and a bottom portion 109. The lengthsof the sides 103 are just slightly smaller, but substantially the same,as that of their respective sides 36, 38 of the recess 34 so that thecargo lamp 100 can fit securely inside. The bottom surface 109 of thecargo lamp 100 may also include additional mounting elements (not shown)that connect with the ribs 46 at the bottom surface 40 of the dockingstation 22.

Mounted in the top portion 104 of the housing 102 is a transparent lens110 for transmitting light produced from a light source 112, such as alight bulb. LEDs or other sources can be used in lieu of an incandescentlamp. The light source 112 is situated just below the lens 110 at thebottom portion 109 of the housing 102. The light source 112 is connectedto electrical contacts box 116 that are attached to the housing 102. Theelectrical contacts 116 mate with electrical contacts 16 connectedwithin the docking station 22, which then communicate with a powersource on the vehicle via a connector 52 and wiring 54. In theillustrated embodiment, although only one pair of electrical contacts16, 116 are seen in the side view of FIG. 3, three such pairs exist totransmit power, ground, and a switched power that is activated when thevehicle doors are open. The cargo lamp 100 includes a switch 118 and anelectrical circuit 120 that connects to the bulb 112, contacts 116, andswitch 118. Any of a number of known circuits can be used for circuit120 in order to provide the desired lighting functions.

In place of the incandescent cargo lamp 100, the vehicle owner mayselect the flashlight 200 either as original equipment or as anaftermarket purchase. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the flashlight 200includes a two-piece housing 202 having sides 203 that are sized andshaped identically to the sides 103 of the housing 102 of the cargo lamp100, a bottom portion 209 and a top portion 204. As previously discussedfor the cargo lamp 100, the lengths of the sides 203 are just slightlysmaller, but substantially the same, as that of their respective sides36 of the docking station's recess 34. This allows the flashlight 200 tofit securely inside the docking station 22 in the same manner as cargolamp 100. The bottom and top portions 209, 204 of the flashlight 200are, again, identical to that of the cargo lamp 100, except for a gap205 which forms the handle portion 201 of the flashlight 200.

Internally, the flashlight 200 includes a similar design as that of thecargo lamp 100 so that the flashlight 200 can operate as a typicalincandescent cargo lamp when installed in the docking station 22. Thetop portion 204 of the housing 202 includes a transparent lens 210 fortransmitting light produced from a light source 212. The light source212 is situated just below the lens 210 at the bottom portion 209 of thehousing 202. The light source 212 is connected to electrical contacts216 via an electrical circuit 220. The electrical contacts 216 cooperatewith the electrical contacts 16 of the docking station 22 in the samemanner as discussed above in connection with the cargo lamp 100. Theflashlight 200 may also include a switch 218 that enables activation ofthe light source 212. The switch 218 allows the vehicle operator to turnthe light on and off as desired. In the illustrated embodiment, theswitch 218 is activated by pressing on the lens 210 which deflectsdownwardly and activates the switch. Such an arrangement could also beused for cargo lamp 100 in lieu of the independent switch 118.

The flashlight/cargo lamp 200 is also designed to include a mobilelighting function (i.e., a flashlight function), in addition to the domelamp function, in the event that the user wishes to remove theflashlight 200 from the docking station 22. When being used in theflashlight function, the light produced from light source 212 stillemanates through the lens 210 installed in the top portion 204 of thehousing 202, which is in the same direction as when the flashlight isbeing used in its dome lamp function (i.e., when mounted within thedocking station 22).

As shown in FIG. 5, the flashlight 200 is inserted into the dockingstation 22 in the same manner as the cargo lamp 100. A first end 206 ofthe flashlight 200 is inserted into the recess 50 of the docking station22. Then, the handle 201, which is at a mounting end 208 of theflashlight 200, is snapped past the protrusion 35 of the docking station22. As shown in FIG. 4, the ribs 46 that protrude from the bottomsurface 40 of the docking station 22 are used to support the flashlight200 in the same manner as discussed above in connection with cargo lamp100.

To keep the flashlight 200 ready for use as a mobile light source at alltimes, the handle 201 of the flashlight 200 houses one or morerechargeable batteries 222. These batteries supply power to the bulb 212via switch 218 when the flashlight is being used as a removable lightsource. When the flashlight is mounted in the docking station 22, therechargeable batteries 222 are recharged and maintained in a chargedstate by the electrical circuit using power received via the electricalcontacts 216. Suitable circuits for providing the battery-poweredoperation of the bulb, as well as for recharging of the battery 222 iswell known to those skilled in the art. Thus, when the flashlight 200 ismounted within the docking station 22, the batteries are regularlysubjected to electrical current for recharging and are, thus, ready foruse the next time the flashlight/cargo lamp 200 is needed as aflashlight.

Since the external mounting design and the internal electrical design ofthe flashlight 200 are substantially similar to that of the cargo lamp100, a vehicle owner can readily choose which one to install in hisvehicle. First, the mounting features of the docking station 22, i.e.,the lip 48 and the opposing protrusion 35, in conjunction with thecommon mounting elements of the two devices 100, 200 enableinterchangeability of the devices at any time. Second, the two devicesinclude common electrical connection elements in the form of thecontacts 116, 216 which allow either to connect to complementaryelectrical terminals 16 in the docking station 22. Third, the provisionof a rechargeable flashlight option 200 in place of the cargo lamp 100is accomplished without loss of the cargo interior lighting function. Asecond function is simply added when the flashlight/cargo lamp 200 isselected.

In the illustrated embodiment, the common mounting elements shared bythe cargo lamp 100 and flashlight 200 comprise similarly shaped andspaced opposite ends (106, 108 and 206, 208) of the devices. Of course,other common mounting elements can be used depending upon thecomplementary mounting feature utilized in the docking station. Thisincludes, for example, a latch that could be used on the docking stationwith the common mounting elements of the two devices 100, 200 being anotch in the device that the latch engages to hold the device in place.Other such variations will be known to those skilled in the art.

It will thus be apparent that there has been provided in accordance withthe present invention vehicle flashlight-cargo lamp system whichachieves the aims and advantages specified herein. It will, of course,be understood that the foregoing description is of preferred exemplaryembodiments of the invention and that the invention is not limited tothe specific embodiments shown. Various changes and modifications willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art and all such changes andmodifications are intended to be within the scope of the presentinvention.

1. A vehicle cargo lamp system comprising: a docking station; a cargolamp including a first housing; and a flashlight/cargo lamp including asecond housing, wherein said docking station includes one or moremounting features and said first and second housings include commonmounting elements that mate with the mounting features of said dockingstation to thereby allow said cargo lamp and said flashlight/cargo lampto be interchangeably mounted in said docking station.
 2. A vehiclecargo lamp system as defined in claim 1, wherein said mounting featuresof said docking station include: a recessed cavity formed at a first endof said docking station to which a first portion of said first housingof said cargo lamp or a first portion of said second housing of saidflashlight/cargo lamp can be inserted; and a locking feature formed at asecond end of said docking station that secures a second portion of saidfirst housing of said cargo lamp or a second portion of said secondhousing of said flashlight/cargo lamp.
 3. A vehicle cargo lamp system asdefined in claim 2, wherein said recessed cavity is formed by threesides of said docking station, a bottom portion of said docking station,and a lip that is formed at a top portion of said docking station.
 4. Avehicle cargo lamp system as defined in claim 1, wherein said cargo lampand said flashlight/cargo lamp are removable from said docking stationafter one of said cargo lamp and flashlight/cargo lamp have been mountedtherein.
 5. A vehicle cargo lamp system as defined in claim 4, whereinsaid docking station includes a release mechanism which enables removingof said cargo lamp or said flashlight/cargo lamp.
 6. A vehicle cargolamp system as defined in claim 4, wherein said flashlight/cargo lampincludes a handle which enables removing of said flashlight/cargo lampfrom said docking station.
 7. A vehicle cargo lamp system as defined inclaim 6, wherein said handle houses at least one rechargeable battery.8. A vehicle cargo lamp system as defined in claim 1, wherein saiddocking station includes electrical contacts that mate withcomplementary electrical contacts in said cargo lamp or in saidflashlight/cargo lamp.
 9. A vehicle cargo lamp system as defined inclaim 1, wherein said flashlight/cargo lamp includes at least onerechargeable battery.
 10. A vehicle cargo lamp system as defined inclaim 9, wherein said flashlight/cargo lamp further includes anelectrical circuit that enables recharging of said battery so that saidbattery can be recharged when said flashlight/cargo lamp is mountedwithin said docking station.
 11. A vehicle cargo lamp system as definedin claim 1, wherein said cargo lamp and said flashlight/cargo lamp areboth adapted to perform at least a common lighting function whilemounted within said docking station.
 12. A vehicle cargo lamp systemcomprising: a docking station; and a light source, wherein said lightsource being selected from a plurality of different light source deviceseach having a housing with common mounting elements so that said lightsource devices can be interchangeably mounted in said docking station,and each of said light source devices further being adapted to performat least a common cargo lighting function while mounted in said dockingstation.
 13. A vehicle cargo lamp system as defined in claim 12, whereinsaid docking station includes one or more mounting features that matewith said mounting elements of said light source device.
 14. A vehiclecargo lamp system as defined in claim 13, wherein said mounting featuresof said docking station include a recessed cavity formed at a first endand a locking feature formed at a second end, wherein said first andsecond ends are adapted to receive and secure said light source withinsaid docking station.
 15. A vehicle cargo lamp system as defined inclaim 14, wherein said recessed cavity is formed by three sides of saiddocking station, a bottom portion of said docking station, and a lipformed at a top portion of said docking station.
 16. A vehicle cargolamp system as defined in claim 14, wherein said mounting features ofsaid docking station are formed at opposite ends of a central recessedportion of said docking station.
 17. A vehicle cargo lamp system asdefined in claim 16, wherein said docking station includes a bottomsurface having ribs that engage said light source device when it ismounted within said docking station.
 18. A vehicle cargo lamp system asdefined in claim 12, wherein said light source device is a cargo lamp.19. A vehicle cargo lamp system as defined in claim 12, wherein saidlight source device is a flashlight/cargo lamp.
 20. A vehicle cargo lampsystem as defined in claim 12, wherein said docking station comprises arelease mechanism for removing said light source device from saiddocking station.
 21. A vehicle cargo lamp system as defined in claim 12,wherein said docking station includes electrical contacts that mate withcomplementary electrical contacts in said cargo lamp or in saidflashlight/cargo lamp.
 22. A vehicle cargo lamp system as defined inclaim 12, wherein said light source device includes at least onerechargeable battery.
 23. A vehicle cargo lamp system as defined inclaim 22, wherein said flashlight/cargo lamp further includes anelectrical circuit that enables recharging of said battery so that saidbattery can be recharged when said light source device is mounted withinsaid docking station.
 24. A vehicle cargo lamp system comprising: adocking station including a recessed portion having mounting featuresand electrical contacts located in said recessed portion; a cargo lampincluding a first housing having first mounting elements that mate withsaid mounting features of said docking station, said cargo lamp furtherincluding a first set of electrical contacts that connect to saidelectrical contacts of said docking station when said cargo lamp ismounted in said recessed portion; and a flashlight/cargo lamp having atleast one rechargeable battery and including a second housing havingsecond mounting elements that are common to said first mounting elementsfor said cargo lamp, wherein said second mounting elements mate withsaid mounting features of said docking station, said flashlight/cargolamp further including a second set of electrical contacts that connectto said electrical contacts of said docking station when saidflashlight/cargo lamp is mounted in said recessed portion; wherein saidcargo lamp and said flashlight/cargo lamp are interchangeable withinsaid docking station such that said cargo lamp and said flashlight/cargolamp are removable from said docking station after one of said cargolamp and flashlight/cargo lamp have been mounted therein, and said cargolamp and said flashlight/cargo lamp further being adapted to perform atleast a common lighting function while mounted within said dockingstation.